Securing National Resources From Theft: An Exploratory Theoretical Analysis

Abstract

The poaching of wildlife resources on the continent of Africa is a serious issue, affecting the long-term survivability of endangered species and the economic stability of many counties. This exploratory study examines the crime of poaching in 6 selected research sites in the nation of South Africa in the context of routine activities theory. Findings show that routine activities theory is an appropriate theoretical construct to understand how the convergence of motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the lack of capable guardianship as measured through physical protection measures contribute to the poaching problem.

KEYWORDS:

• Poaching
• routine activities theory
• physical security